I’ve always been a huge fan of Master Box figures-- using them in vignettes and dioramas whenever I can. So when I got the email offering up one in 1/24 scale, I jumped at the chance not knowing anything about this new line. I figured I could use it with a car or truck like some of their previous lines featured. So while I was waiting for the shipment to arrive, I started doing some research.

This particular figure is part of a new series called “At the Edge of the Universe” set in a world called Steamplanet. Being a huge Firefly fan where the sci-fi steampunk meets the old West, this looked right up my alley. The back of the box provides a bit of an idea of the setting. The whole thing has me wanting either a book series or movie based on the story ideas presented in this line of figures - with additional kits featuring space security forces, ruffians, ladies, and robots.

Hauler-Brengun is well known as a supplier of high-quality aftermarket detail parts for aircraft, as well as other subjects. Many of these aftermarket items are resin, P.E., or a combination of the two mediums.

Marketed under the “Brengun” label, this review looks at the Brengun BR48107 Mark 24 Mine “Fido” Torpedo. The name is a little confusing. Is it a mine or a torpedo? A little history is appropriate at this point.

Googling Mk.24 Mine “Fido” Torpedo received a number of hits. I chose the Wikipedia site and the explanation for the name, as well as a description of the “Fido” and its operational history. The following paraphrases the introductory paragraph found on the Wiki site.

The Gloster Meteor was one of the iconic, pioneering jet fighters to become available during the final year of World War Two.

Master Models is a Polish company that produces some of the finest aftermarket brass accessories to enhance just about any scale model. I have used their offerings before, and love the final look and relative ease of using them.

Airfix has released a couple of Meteor kits over the last few years, and I recently snapped one up from my local hobby shop.

The kit pitot is represented as a straight plastic tube with no relief whereas, I believe, it should taper in towards the end. I clumsily broke the plastic tube when removing it from the sprue and super glued it back together for the pictures here.

This is the first injection-molded 1/48 kit of the M346 Advanced Fighter Trainer, which first flew in 2004. It is currently used by the air forces of Italy, Israel, Poland and Singapore. It was originally a joint venture between Aermacchi and Yakovlev, and you can definitely see the similarity to the Yak-130 Russian trainer.

The kit is molded in a medium gray plastic and contains just over 270 parts. The molding is truly top notch, which is one of the hallmarks of the new Gold range of kits from Kinetic. This was the first kit produced in their new manufacturing facility. There is a small photo etch (PE) fret that contains seatbelts, the HUD frames, rearview mirrors for the inside of the canopy, various vents on the fuselage, and the small winglets. The clear parts are very nicely done with two different options for the canopy: one with the explosive cord molded into it and the other without. And happily the canopies do not have a seam running down the middle! Hooray!

Tom Cooper, born in Vienna, Austria, in 1970 is a military aviation historian that has focused on Post-WWII Middle Eastern air forces. Tom traveled extensively though his military service and subsequently in his transportation business. Through his travels, Tom Cooper has established contacts and identified sources that have permitted him to bring a unique look to Asian and African military aviation. Mr. Cooper has written more than 400 articles and has authored (or co-authored) over 25 books, including the excellent six-volume Arab MiGs series published by Harpia and distributed by Casemate. Aiming to deliver a complete picture, Tom is also an accomplished illustrator and color profiles are included in his books and articles. To find out more, check his Linked In page.